Karamoja’s dam nears completion
Mar 30, 2011
THE construction of a sh12.3b water dam in Arecek, Napak district is nearing completion.
By Olandason Wanyama
THE construction of a sh12.3b water dam in Arecek, Napak district is nearing completion.
After 10 months of construction, a stone armour is being laid on the banks to reduce silting.
The 4.3b litre dam is intended to reduce the movement of the Karimojong herdsmen into the neighbouring Teso and Acholi sub-regions in search of water.
The site engineer in charge of construction, Nicholas Namakola, on Monday said they had covered 85% of the required works.
“We expect to hand over the dam in the next five weeks,†he said.
Arecek dam in Napak and Kobebe dam in Moroto district are a fulfillment of President Yoweri Museveni’s pledge to the Karimojong to provide water for production and livestock.
Namakola said over 20 troughs had been built one kilometre away, with an underground pipe, to water the animals.
“The animals have to keep distance so that they do not destroy the dam,†he explained, adding that the water would also be used for domestic consumption.
“A flushing sump is also in place to clean the dam whenever soiled water sips into it,†Namakola added.
The Napak district LC5 interim chairman, Joseph Lomonyang, commended the engineers who undertook the construction for the good job.
“The work was timely and we hope the facility will be handed over to the beneficiaries in May,†he said
Lomonyang urged the Karimojong to embrace the investment by settling around the dam.
Construction of the project was commissioned in April last year by the water and environment ministry.
THE construction of a sh12.3b water dam in Arecek, Napak district is nearing completion.
After 10 months of construction, a stone armour is being laid on the banks to reduce silting.
The 4.3b litre dam is intended to reduce the movement of the Karimojong herdsmen into the neighbouring Teso and Acholi sub-regions in search of water.
The site engineer in charge of construction, Nicholas Namakola, on Monday said they had covered 85% of the required works.
“We expect to hand over the dam in the next five weeks,†he said.
Arecek dam in Napak and Kobebe dam in Moroto district are a fulfillment of President Yoweri Museveni’s pledge to the Karimojong to provide water for production and livestock.
Namakola said over 20 troughs had been built one kilometre away, with an underground pipe, to water the animals.
“The animals have to keep distance so that they do not destroy the dam,†he explained, adding that the water would also be used for domestic consumption.
“A flushing sump is also in place to clean the dam whenever soiled water sips into it,†Namakola added.
The Napak district LC5 interim chairman, Joseph Lomonyang, commended the engineers who undertook the construction for the good job.
“The work was timely and we hope the facility will be handed over to the beneficiaries in May,†he said
Lomonyang urged the Karimojong to embrace the investment by settling around the dam.
Construction of the project was commissioned in April last year by the water and environment ministry.